Thackaray is one of the many names that the Normans brought with them when they conquered England in 1066. The name Thackaray came from the ancient Norman given name Tancred. Another source claims "this surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'at the thack-wray,' i.e. the corner or place set apart for storing thack, or thatch." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) And yet another notes "Thackray, or Thackwray, or Thackery, is a name that has its present home in the West Riding [of Yorkshire.]" [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.

Early Origins of the Thackaray family

The surname Thackaray was first found in Cambridgeshire where they held a family seat anciently, and historians claim that the family probably sprang from Tancred, a Norman Baron, who lived in 912 A.D, and share a common ancestry with the Tankervilles and Tancreds. One of the first records of the family was found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where William de la Thekere was listed in Norfolk. Later the YorkshirePoll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes de Thakwra and Robertas de Thakwra. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Early History of the Thackaray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thackaray research.Another 206 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1811 and 1863 are included under the topic Early Thackaray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Thackaray Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Thackaray has been recorded under many different variations, including Thackary, Thackery, Thackwray and others.

Early Notables of the Thackaray family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Thackaray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Thackaray family to Ireland

Some of the Thackaray family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Thackaray family to the New World and Oceana

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Thackarays were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: William Thackwray settled in Philadelphia in 1829; John Thackeray settled in Philadelphia in 1856; Samuel Thackery settled in Philadelphia in 1868.

The Thackaray Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.